2015-03-31T20:52:02ZAssessing the extent to which the National Archives ad Records Service of South Africa has fulfilled its mandate of taking the archives to the peoplehttp://hdl.handle.net/10500/18431
Assessing the extent to which the National Archives ad Records Service of South Africa has fulfilled its mandate of taking the archives to the people
Ngoepe M & Ngulube P
The National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARS) is sustained by public funds so that the records of enduring value of the nation can be preserved, made accessible and promoted to enhance their use by members of the public. Archives serve no purpose unless they are used. Outreach programmes are one of the ways of providing a unique opportunity to improve the public image of the archives repository, as well as to promote the awareness and use of archival holdings. This article assessed the extent to which NARS has
taken the archives to the people. A survey using a purposive sample was conducted in 2009 and concluded that there was a need to promote NARS public image and the use of archival holdings through robust outreach programmes.
2011-05-01T00:00:00ZRecognition of Prior Learning (RPL) implementation in library and information science (LIS) schools in South Africahttp://hdl.handle.net/10500/18312
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) implementation in library and information science (LIS) schools in South Africa
Hlongwane, Ike Khazamula
Owing to past injustices, the South African higher education sector is characterised by inequalities of resource allocation and of learning opportunities. Through the National Qualification Framework (NQF), recognition of prior learning (RPL) was established to address the previous inequalities in higher education and training.
RPL can be used as a mechanism to offer non-traditional learners such as workers, adult learners, and community workers access to learning programmes in Library and Information Science (LIS) schools. It can also be used for up-skilling within LIS sector, to enable staff to migrate from paraprofessional to professional roles. LIS schools could possibly use this approach to offer experienced but unqualified library workers opportunities for progressive professional development and career growth. Despite it being a national policy and its obvious benefits, very little is known about RPL implementation in LIS schools in South Africa. This study was conducted to investigate the nature of RPL implementation in LIS schools in South Africa and make recommendations for effective and efficient RPL practice in these schools.
The study used the questionnaire as the main data collection tool. In addition, document analysis was used to validate the collected data.
The results of the study indicated that there were islands of good RPL practice in LIS schools in South Africa specifically with regard to the aspect of RPL assessment process. However, certain weaknesses were identified in other aspects of RPL implementation in LIS schools including the policy environment, training of personnel conducting RPL assessment and the quality management systems.
Among other things, the study recommends that RPL quality management system (QMS) should ideally be driven by the head/chair of the school/department. Furthermore, an integrated student management system should be used to monitor the progression of RPL candidates through the formal academic system post RPL.
2014-12-01T00:00:00ZDeveloping a knowledge management strategy for the Marist International University College, Nairobi-Kenyahttp://hdl.handle.net/10500/18310
Developing a knowledge management strategy for the Marist International University College, Nairobi-Kenya
Anduvare, Everlyn Mmbone
Marist International University College, Nairobi – Kenya is challenged with problems like duplication of work due to lack of a central repository for knowledge, loss of knowledge through expertise leaving the institution without knowledge being captured and over reliance on a few known subject experts as others have not been identified. This research thus set out to address these problems. The aim of the study was to conduct a knowledge management assessment at the Marist International University College (MIUC) in order to identify and recommend a suitable strategy for the institution. The study employed a concurrent triangulation mixed methodology approach which encompassed a questionnaire and an interview schedule to collect data from 33 academic staff and 9 members of the MIUC management respectively. These two groups were purposively selected as the target population for the study as they play the key role in knowledge creation at MIUC. All 33 copies of the questionnaires that were distributed to the teaching staff were returned by respondents and all the 9 MIUC members of management were successfully interviewed. Data transformation analysis was applied during which qualitative data from open-ended questions and interviews were quantified using content analysis. Quantitative data in the questionnaires was descriptively analysed using SPSS. The study revealed a variety of informal knowledge management structures and resources at MIUC and the challenges of managing knowledge at Marist. The main challenge was that there was no uniformity and consistency in the management of knowledge. The study hence, formulated a KM strategy for MIUC that would help leverage its knowledge assets.
2015-02-01T00:00:00ZThe role of records management as a tool to identify risks in the public sector in South Africahttp://hdl.handle.net/10500/18298
The role of records management as a tool to identify risks in the public sector in South Africa
Ngoepe, Mpho Solomon
Background: Records management is a vital element in the identification of risks. However, there is a consensus amongst scholars that the relationship between records management and risk identification has not been clearly articulated. As a result, risks associated with records are often dealt with via internal audits, legal processes and information technology.
Objectives: The study utilised the King III report on corporate governance in South Africa as a framework to investigate the role of records management in identifying risks in the public sector, with a view to entrench the synergy between records management and risk management.
Method: Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires distributed to records
managers, risk managers and auditors in governmental bodies in South Africa. Provisions of the King III report, guided the research objectives.
Results: Even though the study established that there is a reciprocal relationship between risk identification and records management, most governmental bodies in South Africa lack records management and risk-mitigating frameworks or strategy. Furthermore, records management did not feature in most governmental bodies’ risk registers. It has been established that most governmental bodies have established risk committees that do not include records management practitioners. In most governmental bodies, risk management resides within internal audit functions.
Conclusion: The study concludes by arguing that a strong records management regime can be one of an organisation’s primary tools in identifying risks and implementing proper risk management. Therefore, records management should be integrated with risk management processes for organisations to benefit from the synergy.
2014-06-19T00:00:00Z